e lamb's innocent wool.

Fain would I tell of the coneys that took refuge in the folds of his
habit, and of the swifts which flew screaming in their glee while he
was preaching; but now it is time to speak of the sermon which he
preached to a great multitude of birds in a field by the roadside, when
he was on his way to Bevagno. Down from the trees flew the birds to
hear him, and they nestled in the grassy bosom of the field, and
listened till he had done. And these were the words he spoke to them:

"Little birds, little sisters mine, much are you holden to God your
Creator; and at all times and in every place you ought to praise Him.
Freedom he has given you to fly everywhere; and raiment He has given
you, double and threefold. More than this, He preserved your kind in
the Ark, so that your race might not come to an end. Still more do you
owe him for the element of air, which he has made your portion. Over
and above, you sow not, neither do you reap; but God feeds you, and
gives you streams and springs for your thirst; the mountains He gives
you, and the valleys for your refuge, and the tall trees wherein to
build your nests. And because you cannot sew or spin, God takes
thought to clothe you, you and your little ones. It must be, then,
that your Creator loves you much, since He has granted you so many
benefits. Be on your guard then against the sin of ingratitude, and
strive always to give God praise."

And when the Saint ceased speaking, the birds made such signs as they
might, by spreading their wings and opening their beaks, to show their
love and pleasure; and when he had blessed them with the sign of the
cross, they sprang up, and singing songs of unspeakable sweetness, away
they streamed in a great cross to the four quarters of heaven.

One more story I must tell of the Saint and the wild creatures.

On a time when St. Francis was dwelling in the town of Agobio, there
appeared in that countryside a monstrous grey wolf, which was so savage
a man-eater that the people were afraid to go abroad, even when well
armed. A pity it was to see folk in such fear and danger; wherefore
the Saint, putting his whole trust in God, went out with his companions
so far as they dared go, and thence onward all alone to the place where
the wolf lay.

The wild beast rushed out at him from his lair with open mouth, but St.
Francis waited and made over him the sign of the most holy cross, and
called him to him, saying, "C